August 7, 2011

Beautiful sunny day in Santa Fe.

One of my goals this year in Santa Fe is to meet more people, but so far, nada. When I'm here during the summer, I'd like to know people who I could pick up the phone and call. I thought that if I volunteered I'd have the opportunity to meet people. I tried to volunteer for the Chamber Music performances, but no one ever contacted me. Tried to volunteer at the Hispanic Market, but they had enough help. I tried to volunteer at the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, but the new director has everything in flux. If I wanted a full-time job, there are plenty of those in Santa Fe. I'm not giving up on meeting people. I still have another month in the high desert.

It's a quiet day at the casita. There's a festival on the Plaza – 39th Annual Girls Inc. Arts & Crafts Show – but I think I'll pass. Instead, I'm going to the fabric store. I met a shop owner who is interested in my bags. She asked if she could see some bags, so I guess I need to make some. I have plenty in Houston, but nothing here to show her. It's warm outside today, with no breeze, so it's a good day to spend inside creating my own arts and crafts instead of looking at what other people have made.

Today I'm creating some tote bags, after I go to the fabric store and buy some interfacing and lining fabrics. I also need to make my daily stop at Whole Foods to get something for dinner. I guess I have met one new person in town: the 19-year old check-out guy at Whole Foods. Somehow I don't think he'll appreciate me picking up the phone and calling him!

August 6, 2011

Found this sign during my travels around SFe.
I need to find out what enterprises the
New Mexico Pettit family is involved with.

I walked around so much yesterday that when I got home last night my legs were very tired! I decided I wasn't really hungry, so I had some crackers and cheese, and a couple of glasses of bubbly (nectar of the gods). There was a soft rain falling on the tin roof of Pettita Casita, and the noise helped lure me to sleep at an early hour.

As I  was falling asleep last night I had the feeling I was a little girl at my grandparents' house in Bryan, TX. At some point in the history of the home, which was built by my great grandfather and grandfather, the porch on the back of the house was enclosed. That room was where my grandparents slept, so we called it the sleeping porch. The room was furnished with only their twin beds, which my nephew now has, and an oak dresser with a mirror on top, which I have. In the summer, the louvered windows were cranked open and a big fan circulated the air. When it was raining, I always wanted to be out on the sleeping porch on a roll-away bed that was topped with a feather mattress and pillow. I loved the smell of the rain, the softness of the feather mattress and pillows, the sound of drops plunking on the glass of the louvered windows, and the hum of the oscillating fan. These comfortable childhood smells and sounds were present as I went to sleep last night, and provided me with a good night's sleep!

Today I'm creating a clean casita. Yes, even on vacation I have to clean house. This morning I went to the Tesuque Flea Market outside of Santa Fe and found some wonderful mud cloth and other fabric from Africa, so I'll also be sketching ideas tonight while finishing the other half bottle of bubbly.

August 5, 2011

Her fatness likes to perch on the window
sill and look out. I'm not sure how she balances
herself since she is wider than the sill.

Another fun morning. I went to a huge estate sale at the Woman's Club. I was hoping to find fabrics and textiles, but I only found one piece for $3. Then I drove downtown and went in some shops that I like on the side streets off the Plaza. Next I had lunch at The Shed. I don't know why I believed the waiter when he told me the chicken enchiladas weren't hot. The green sauce was extremely spicy! I finished lunch an hour ago and my mouth is still burning.

I'm posting a photo of Rose in the window in the main room. The ledge is stone, which must be cool on her big, hairy belly. She jumps up on the couch and then jumps onto the window sill. I've seen cats do this, but never dogs. Rose will get in the window when I leave and wait for me to come back. This morning I found her in the window looking out while I was taking my shower.

Today I'm creating a magazine article, but first I need a siesta with Rose and Roz. I hear the afternoon rain
now.

August 4, 2011

Santa Fe has wonderful "yard art." These fish
are outside the convention center where
SOFA West is being held. Very fun!

I should be spending today with my father, celebrating his 82nd birthday. I wish he were here! I know he would have loved the slow pace of Santa Fe and the beautiful gardens, not to mention the hot, spicy food! I remember him sweating while eating Mexican and Cajun food, and relishing every bite! He died in 2007, and every day, something in my life remembers me of him. Miss you, Daddy!

I had a great time earlier today at SOFA (Sculpture Objects & Functional Art) West. The favorite art I saw might have been by outsider artist Karl Mullen. His work is walnut oil, raw powder pigment, and pastel on paper. Outsider art is a term for work done by non-academically trained artists. These artists are viewed as outside the "normal" community and many may have been confined in prisons or insane asylums. Always interesting artwork, whether you like the subject or not.

Today I'm creating a mailer (done) and am getting on a conference call in about five minutes about a magazine article. Good day!

August 3, 2011

Yard work at Pettita Casita prevents getting
a mani, but a pedi seems in order for today!

I'm just not feeling the love today and I know exactly the cause of my problem. Last night, when I took the girls out for their walk before bedtime, a woman drove up to the house next door to me, got out of her car, and started "female dogging" me out, if you receive my meaning. The woman doesn't live on the drive where my house is located. She doesn't own property on the drive. She was visiting an sick elderly woman. Yet she "female dogged" me out for letting my two little girls make their deposits in a vacant, overgrown lot. She was calling me names (female dog) and threatening to knock my head off if I didn't go back to wherever I came from. The entire altercation was very distressing! Consequently, I didn't sleep last night. I was awake and analyzing what I did to make the woman so angry. Since I have a "people-pleasing" personality, whatever went wrong last night must have been my fault, or so it is in my mind. Today I'm tired and cranky, and still somewhat concerned that the crazy woman will do something ... well, crazy. Who knows what that might be.

I cancelled my play date with gardner extraordinaire Little Ricky. He was supposed to come over today, have lunch, and help me with some yard work, but when he called this morning I rescheduled for Monday. There's a problem with the drip system that waters the front flower beds (see photo of front beds). I just don't feel like messing with that today. I also have about $200 worth of new plants to put in the side flower beds, but I can do that myself.

Today I'm creating a pity party. But to help myself get out of this funk, I'm going sew something. Being creative in a positive way will help me immensely. My machine should be ready this afternoon and I'm going to get it and sew my little fingers off. Luckily, the sewing machine repair shop is close to a nail salon. Having my nails done will also help my mood. There's a reason a manicure/pedicure is referred to as the "cures."

August 2, 2011

What a morning. I haven't stopped working since I got up. Unfortunately, once again the Skype telephone conference didn't work. This time I got the visual, but the sound was so bad all I could hear snippets every now and then. Who knows more about Skype than I do? Who can tell me how to fix the sound problems?

Look how chubby and cute Rose is! 

Think I need to join her in a siesta.

I'm posting a photo of my muse, Rose. I'm working in a chair at the end of the breakfast bar and Rose is laying behind my chair with her monkey toy. See the chew stick right above her on the rug? It's under a table where she usually hides her toy monkey and a new toy I bought her for being a good girl. The monkey and her new toy make noises. I think she gets tired of hearing them so she hides them under the table. When I tell her to bring me her toy she'll only bring the smiley purple dog that doesn't squeak.

Today I'm creating a weekly newsletter, a flier and a bio. I'm also working on the fundraiser I'm coordinating for Women of Wine Charities. There was a time around lunch when the emails were coming in faster than I could respond to them, so I stepped away from the computer and took the girls for a walk. I don't think the bar stool I sit in while working is ergonomically correct for long hours of working on the computer. A walk loosens up the achy back.

August 1, 2011

I heard yesterday that my God daughter (Ashley, a.k.a. Madame) got engaged on Friday night. Then I heard this morning that one of Dr. Mc's good friends (Katie) also got engaged. These two weddings should be very beautiful because both young women are over-the-top with details. We're also excited that Dr. Mc's longtime friend Melinda is getting married in November. I've watched these young women grow up. It's exciting to see them entering the married phase of their lives!

Last night's dinner was roasted tomatoes
topped with homemade pesto and
parmesan. Loved every bite!

I had fun yesterday afternoon. First I walked around the Contemporary Spanish Market. You would have thought I was at an outdoor festival in Houston. Parking was $10 and a bottle of water was $2. Yikes! Mr. B laughed last night when I told him I ate street food. The carnitas I paid $6 for was delicious! The art at the festival was interesting, but nothing I couldn't live without. Then I came home and made some pesto. Not an easy task in the little food processor in the casita. Of course, I thought the recipe needed twice the garlic. I used part of the pesto on some tomatoes I roasted last night and froze two half-pint containers.

Today I'm creating a magazine article for a client. Other things on my agenda include taking my sewing machine to the repair shop and finding a reasonably priced dry cleaners. I won't use the cleaners I tried last year because I was charged $8.99 per linen blouse. Robbery!